Wirelessly Controlled Hose Reel

ABSTRACT

A wirelessly controlled hose reel including a housing with a back wall and a lower enclosure. The back wall has a hose reel connected thereto such that the lower portion of the hose reel sits within the lower enclosure. A motor is connected to the lower enclosure and the center of the hose reel. The motor is further connected to a wireless transceiver. The motor is capable of spinning the hose reel forward or backward. A remote valve is connected to a side wall of the lower enclosure. The remote valve has a water input hose fluidly connected to a first end of the valve and a hose intake pipe fluidly connected to the second end. The remote valve is operably coupled to the wireless transceiver. The valve can be remotely opened and closed.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/802,297 filed on Feb. 7, 2019. The above identified patentapplication is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety toprovide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to wirelessly controlled hose reels. Moreparticularly, the present invention provides an electric hose reel thatcan be controlled via a wireless controller such as a smart phone.

Many people use hoses around their homes for various projects. It can bedifficult to properly care for hoses and to move them around. Hoses canbe extremely bulky and, in some cases, heavy. Hoses can be stored onreels or hooks, but it can be hard to reel a hose up due to the weight.Further, in some geographic locations hoses require additional specialcare.

In some geographic locations where the temperatures get below thefreezing temperature hoses will need winterized. Winterizing a hosemeans draining all of the water out of the hose and carrying the hoseinside so it does not freeze. This can be difficult if the hose islarge. Further, the spigot will then have to be turned off and any waterdrained. This will ensure that the spigot and the hose does not freezeand burst.

Consequently, there is a need in for an improvement in the art ofwirelessly controlled hose reels. The present invention substantiallydiverges in design elements from the known art while at the same timesolves a problem many people face when reeling up their hoses especiallywhen the reel is located inside a house. In this regard the presentinvention substantially fulfills these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a wirelessly controlled hose reel whereinthe same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user whenusing an wirelessly controlled hose reel. The wirelessly controlled hosereel comprises a hose reel mount with a hose reel rotatably attachedthereto. A motor is operably coupled to the hose reel. A wirelesslytransceiver is operably coupled to the motor. A controller is wirelesslyconnected to the wireless transceiver, wherein the controller controlsthe operation of the motor.

Another object of the present invention is to further include a togglekill switch, wherein the kill switch shuts down the motor.

Another object of the present invention is to further include a mountingbracket on the hose reel mount to attach the hose reel mount to astructure.

Another object of the present invention is to have a reel made ofplastic.

Another object of the present invention is to further include a powersource operable coupled to the motor.

Another object of the present invention is to further include a hoseconnection fluidly connected to a water source.

Another object of the present invention is to further include anautomatic shut off valve connected to the water source and the hoseconnection.

Another object of the present invention is to further include a mobiledevice and a mobile application to operate the wirelessly controlledhose reel.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will beparticularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and mannerin which it may be made and used may be better understood after a reviewof the following description, taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the wirelessly controlled hose reelinstalled in a ceiling.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the wirelessly controlled hose reelwith a mounting bracket.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the wirelessly controlled hose reelwith an automatic shut off valve attached.

FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of an embodiment of the wiring andconnections for the wirelessly controlled hose reel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like referencenumerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similarelements of the wirelessly controlled hose reel. For the purposes ofpresenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, apreferred embodiment will be discussed as used for the wirelesslycontrolled hose reel. The figures are intended for representativepurposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in anyrespect.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of thewirelessly controlled hose reel installed in a ceiling. There is awirelessly controlled hose reel 100. In one embodiment the hose reel isinstalled in the rafters of a basement. This allows the hose reel toremain inside and away from the elements. In one embodiment, the hosewill exit the wall through an insulated hole in the foundation. Thevarious components are described throughout the specification areattached to the rafters. In some embodiments the components can beattached to various parts of the hose reel.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a perspective view of thewirelessly controlled hose reel with a mounting bracket. The wirelesslycontrolled hose reel has a housing 201. A hose reel 206 is attached tothe housing 201. In one embodiment the hose reel 206 is a plastic hosereel. The hose reel 206 has a motor 207 attached to the middle of thereel. In one embodiment, the motor 207 is an electric motor. The motor207 is powerful enough to turn the reel either forward or backward witha hose thereon. There is further an electric water valve 208. This willbe attached to the hose reel water input 302

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a perspective view of thewirelessly controlled hose reel with an automated shut off attached. Theelectric water valve 208 is fluidly coupled to a water input 301. Thewater input 301 receives water from a water main. On the other side ofthe electric water valve 208, there is a fluid connection to the hosereel water input 302. In one embodiment, the electric water valve 208 isa two-part valve. The first part is a manual valve 303. The manual valve303 has a valve handle 304. The valve handle 304 has an actuator 305attached thereto. The actuator 305 is an electric actuator. In oneembodiment the value is an electric valve and does not require the valvehandle.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a block diagram of an embodimentof the wiring and connections for the wirelessly controlled hose reel.The wirelessly controlled hose reel has a power source 501. In oneembodiment, the power source is a wired power source. In anotherembodiment, the power source is a battery. In some embodiments, thereare additional components to adjust the voltage and wattage of the powerinput. The power source 501 is connected to a wireless transceiver 503.The wireless transceiver is capable of transmitting WIFI and Bluetooth.

The power source 501 and the wireless transceiver 503 are operablycoupled to a motor 502. The motor 502 is capable of moving the hose reelin forward and in reverse. The motor will active when the wirelesstransceiver receives a signal. The power source 501 and the motor 502are coupled to a backlash sensor 504. The backlash sensor 504 is locatedbelow the hose reel such that it can be tripped by a hose that is notwinding or unwinding properly. When the backlash sensor 504 is trippedit shuts off the motor 502.

The power source 501 and the wireless transceiver 503 are operablycoupled to the on/off valve 505. The on/off valve is capable of turningthe water on or off and allowing water to flow to the hose. The on/offvalve is coupled to a leak sensor 506. The leak sensor 506 is locatedbelow the wirelessly controlled hose reel. The leak sensor 506 isfurther coupled to the wireless transceiver 503. If water is detected bythe leak sensor 506 the sensor will turn off the on/off valve 505.Further, the leak sensor 506 can send a notification via the wirelesstransceiver 503.

The wireless transceiver 503 wirelessly connects to a mobile device 507.In one embodiment the mobile device 507 is a remote. In anotherembodiment, the mobile device 507 is a cellular phone. In the embodimentwhere the mobile device 507 is a cellular phone, the cellular phone runsa mobile application. The mobile application is capable of controllingthe on/off valve 505, and the motor 502. Further, in one embodiment, themobile application is capable of receiving notifications. Thenotifications can include reminders that the water is on, a notificationthat the backlash sensor 504 has been tripped, or a notification thatthe leak sensor 506 has been triggered.

It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown anddescribed in what is considered to be the most practical and preferredembodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be madewithin the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications willoccur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the abovedescription then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensionalrelationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations insize, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assemblyand use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in theart, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in thedrawings and described in the specification are intended to beencompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of theprinciples of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications andchanges will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is notdesired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operationshown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications andequivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of theinvention.

I claim: 1) A wirelessly controlled hose reel, comprising: a hose reelmount with a hose reel rotatably attached thereto; a motor operablycoupled to the hose reel; a wireless transceiver operably coupled to themotor; a controller wirelessly connected to the wireless transceiver,wherein the controller controls the operation of the motor. 2) Theelectric wirelessly controlled hose reel of claim 1, further comprisinga toggle kill switch, wherein the kill switch shuts down the motor. 3)The electric wirelessly controlled hose reel of claim 1, furthercomprising a mounting bracket on the hose reel mount to attach the hosereel mount to a structure. 4) The electric wirelessly controlled hosereel of claim 1, wherein the reel is made of plastic. 5) The electricwirelessly controlled hose reel of claim 1, further comprising a powersource operably coupled to the motor. 6) The electric wirelesslycontrolled hose reel of claim 1, further comprising a hose connectionfluidly connected to a water source. 7) The electric wirelesslycontrolled hose reel of claim 6, further comprising an automated shutoff valve connected to the water source and the hose connection. 8) Awirelessly controlled hose reel, comprising: An wirelessly controlledhose reel, comprising: a hose reel mount with a hose reel rotatablyattached thereto; a motor operably coupled to the hose reel; awirelessly transceiver operably coupled to the motor; a mobile devicewirelessly connected to the wireless transceiver; an applicationinstalled on the mobile application, wherein the mobile applicationcontrols the motor. 9) The electric wirelessly controlled hose reel ofclaim 8, further comprising a toggle kill switch, wherein the killswitch shuts down the motor. 10) The electric wirelessly controlled hosereel of claim 8, further comprising a mounting bracket on the hose reelmount to attach the hose reel mount to a structure. 11) The electricwirelessly controlled hose reel of claim 8, wherein the reel is made ofplastic. 12) The electric wirelessly controlled hose reel of claim 8,further comprising a power source operably coupled to the motor. 13) Theelectric wirelessly controlled hose reel of claim 8, further comprisinga hose connection fluidly connected to a water source. 14) The electricwirelessly controlled hose reel of claim 13, further comprising anautomatic shut off valve connected to the water source and the hoseconnection.